At the firm assertion, in the tone with which Lord Oldborough pronounced, I _trust_--his majesty’s eye changed--and moved away from Lord Oldborough’s, when he, with respectful interrogation of tone, added, “I _hope_ your majesty could not believe those letters to be mine.” “Frankly, my lord,” said the king, “the assertions, the insinuations of no man, or set of men, of any rank or weight in my dominions, could by any imaginable means have induced me to conceive it possible that such letters had been written by your lordship. Not for one moment could my belief have been compelled by any evidence less strong than your lordship’s handwriting and seal. I own, I thought I knew your lordship’s seal and writing; but I now see that I have been deceived, and I rejoice to see it.” “I thank your majesty. I cannot feel surprise that a forgery and a counterfeit which, at first view, compelled my own belief of their being genuine, should, for a moment, have deceived you, sir; but, I own, I had flattered myself that my sovereign knew my heart and character, yet better than my seal and signature.” “Undoubtedly, my lord.” “And I should have hoped that, if your majesty had perused those letters, no assertions could have been necessary, on my part, to convince you, sir, that they could not be mine. I have now only to rejoice that your majesty is undeceived; and that I have not intruded unnecessarily with this explanation. I am fully sensible, sir, of your goodness, in having thus permitted me to make, as early as possible, this assertion of my innocence. For the proofs of it, and for the detection of the guilty, I am preparing; and I hope to make these as clear to you, sir, as your majesty’s assurance of the pleasure you feel in being undeceived is satisfactory--consolatory to me,” concluded Lord Oldborough, with a bow of profound yet proud respect. “My lord,” said the king, “I have no doubt that this affair will redound to your honour, and _terminate to your lordship’s entire satisfaction_.” The very phrase used by the Duke of Greenwich. “As to myself, your lordship can have no farther anxiety; but I wish your lordship’s endeavours to detect and bring proofs home to the guilty may be promptly successful--for the gratification of your own feelings, and the satisfaction of the public mind, before the matter should be brought forward in parliament.” His majesty bowed, and as Lord Oldborough retired, he added some gracious phrases, expressive of the high esteem he felt for the minister, and the interest he had always, and should always take, in whatever could contribute to his public and private--_satisfaction_--(again).